Halloween in London 2026: The Best Spooky Things to Do

Halloween in London is a little bit different. One minute you're walking through Kensington Gardens in the autumn sunshine, and the next you're wandering through a haunted palace, watching fire performers in Kew Gardens or dancing until the early hours in fancy dress.

With Halloween falling on Saturday 31 October 2026, this year is a particularly good one for a spooky weekend in the capital. Whether you're after something genuinely scary, a Halloween party, a spooky family day out, or simply an excuse to dress up and explore London after dark, there's plenty happening across the city. So grab your costume, charge your phone, and get ready for our guide to Halloween in London 2026.

1. Halloween at Kew Gardens

16 October - 1 November 2026 · Kew Gardens

If you want something that feels properly magical, Halloween at Kew is hard to beat. After dark, the gardens are transformed into a 1.5km illuminated trail, with live performers, fire artists and spooky installations winding through the grounds. For 2026, new additions include a brand-new Cursed Tomb and an all-new Monster Disco finale, alongside returning favourites like Dracula and the Headless Horseman.

There are different time slots depending on how spooky you want your evening to be, running from Daylight and Twilight through to Moonlight, with the scares building as darkness falls. It's a great option for couples, families or anyone who wants Halloween atmosphere without spending the whole evening in a nightclub.

Pocket tip: Kew is in West London, so it's particularly convenient if you're staying with us in Kensington or Notting Hill. Make an evening of it with dinner beforehand and head back to your apartment afterwards.

2. The Dark Arts at Warner Bros. Studio Tour

Warner Bros. Studio Tour London - The Making of Harry Potter

For Harry Potter fans, Halloween is one of the best times to visit the Studio Tour. During the Dark Arts Halloween takeover, the studios get a spooky makeover, with pumpkins, dark magic and Death Eaters appearing throughout the experience. The Great Hall is particularly spectacular, with hundreds of pumpkins recreating the famous Halloween feast from the films.

You'll also get to explore the original sets, costumes and props from the films, with an appropriately darker atmosphere layered on top. It's out in Leavesden rather than central London, so allow more time for the journey, but it's well worth considering if you're visiting specifically for Halloween.

3. Get properly scared at the London Dungeon

If your idea of Halloween involves being locked in a room with London's darkest history, head to The London Dungeon. Set beneath County Hall by the London Eye, it brings some of London's most terrifying stories to life through actors, sets and special effects.

It's an easy one to combine with other central London sights. Spend the afternoon around the South Bank, grab dinner by the Thames, then head into the Dungeon for an evening of scares — and if your nerves are still holding up afterwards, walk across Westminster Bridge and admire London lit up at night.

4. Have a Halloween movie night

Not everyone wants to spend Halloween being chased around a dark building. Sometimes you just want popcorn and a good horror film.

London's cinemas get into the spirit with special screenings, themed events and classic horror films throughout October. Picturehouse Central is a good option if you're already exploring Soho and the West End, and it's worth keeping an eye on the Halloween programme at London's major cinemas and outdoor screening venues as the date gets closer. After a day of walking around London, a cosy cinema is a very good way to spend a chilly October evening.

5. Duran Duran's Halloween party at The O2

Saturday 31 October 2026 · The O2 Arena

Now for something a little less haunted. Duran Duran are bringing their Danse Macabre Halloween Party to London for the first time, closing out their 2026 UK arena tour with a one-night-only Halloween special at The O2. The band are encouraging fans to dress up, with a show that blends major hits, deeper cuts and rarely played tracks with the theatrical, gothic-tinged atmosphere the Danse Macabre shows are known for.

Doors are at 6:30pm, and tickets are on sale through AXS, the official ticketing partner for The O2. If you're after a big night out that doesn't involve a haunted house, this could be one of the standout Halloween events of the year.

6. Fancy dress & Halloween club nights

If you're coming to London with friends, Halloween is a brilliant excuse to get dressed up and go out. There are parties happening across the city throughout Halloween week, from big club nights to smaller themed events.

Some of the 2026 events already announced include The Halloween Rave at Ministry of Sound, MESTIZA's SACRO Halloween Edition at the Roundhouse, The Halloween Disco at Electric Ballroom and Cassius Club at Outernet. For something earlier in the evening, Glitterfest Halloween takes place at O2 Academy Islington on 31 October, with DJs, performers, pyrotechnics and a strictly fancy-dress policy.

Pocket tip: If you're planning a Halloween night out, check the age restrictions, dress code and last-entry time before buying tickets. Some events are strictly fancy dress and may not let you in without a costume.

7. Go to a secret Halloween ball

Fancy something a little more unusual? The Candlelight Club Halloween Ball takes place on Saturday 31 October at a secret location in south London.

Think 1920s-style Halloween rather than a modern club night - jazz, burlesque, vintage costumes, cocktails and an abandoned ballroom filled with cobwebs and pumpkins. The event runs from 7pm until 1am, and since the venue is kept secret, the mystery starts before you even arrive. It's a great pick if you want your Halloween night to feel a bit more grown-up and theatrical.

8. Take the London Halloween Walk

If you'd rather spend Halloween exploring London than standing in a nightclub, there's another option. The London Halloween Walk takes place on Saturday 31 October, starting and finishing at The Oval Cricket Ground, with 10km and 25km routes through London's streets and historic areas.

The event includes spooky rest stops, fancy dress, Halloween-themed entertainment, food and drink, and a medal for finishing - it's also a charity fundraising event, with a number of charities supporting participants. It's a fun way to see a different side of London, particularly if you like a challenge and don't mind putting in a few miles.

9. See London's haunted side

London has plenty of ghost stories, so Halloween is the perfect excuse to explore some of them. You can join a ghost walk, take a spooky tour around London's historic streets or even climb aboard a ghost bus.

The Ghost Bus Tour is an entertaining way to see some of London's darker history from the road, while walking tours can take you through areas tied to centuries-old murders, mysteries and legends. It's particularly good for anyone who wants their Halloween experience to feel genuinely connected to London rather than just going to a themed party.

10. Visit a haunted palace

For a Halloween experience with a bit more history behind it, look beyond central London. Hampton Court Palace offers ghost tours and after-dark experiences, giving you the chance to explore one of London's most atmospheric historic buildings while hearing some of its darker stories.

It's an especially good choice if you're visiting London for several days and want to do something different from the usual tourist attractions. Just remember that Halloween events at historic venues can sell out, so check dates and book ahead.

11. Explore London in autumn

You don't actually need a ticket to enjoy Halloween in London. October is one of the loveliest times to explore the city - the parks turn golden, the evenings get darker, and the cooler weather makes it much more tempting to stop for coffee, dinner or a drink.

From Pocket Apartments, you can spend the day wandering through Notting Hill, Kensington and Hyde Park, browse the shops around Westbourne Grove and Portobello Road, then head into central London when the sun goes down. If you're visiting with children, October half-term runs from 26-30 October 2026, making the week around Halloween a particularly popular time for family trips.

12. Have a Halloween dinner in Notting Hill

Before heading out for the evening, make the most of what's right on your doorstep. Notting Hill has plenty of restaurants where you can have dinner before your Halloween plans, whether you're dressed up and heading into central London afterwards or simply staying local.

For Italian food, try La mia Mamma Notting Hill on Kensington Park Road. For something a little more special, The Ledbury is another Notting Hill option. Or keep it relaxed with dinner around Westbourne Grove before heading out for the night. The best part is you don't have to travel all the way into central London just to find somewhere good to eat.

13. Start Halloween morning with coffee at Pocket

Halloween doesn't have to begin at sunset. If you're staying with Pocket, start your day at Pocket Coffee on Kensington Church Street. Grab a coffee and something to eat before heading out for a day of exploring, shopping for last-minute costume bits, or getting ready for your evening plans. It's also a useful place to regroup before heading back out into London - because if you're going to spend the night dancing until late, you're going to need the caffeine.

14. Need a last-minute costume?

Forgotten your costume? Don't panic. Central London has plenty of shops where you can put something together at the last minute, while Westfield London is another easy option for clothes, accessories and makeup in one place.

And if you're staying in Notting Hill, Portobello Road is always worth exploring for vintage pieces and unusual finds - sometimes the best Halloween outfit is the one you weren't actually looking for.

15. Staying with Pocket this Halloween?

Halloween is one of those weekends when having somewhere comfortable to come back to makes a real difference. You might spend the day at Kew Gardens, head into central London for dinner, watch a film, go to a Halloween party and not get back until late.

Having your own Pocket Apartment means you can come home, make a cup of tea, take off the costume and actually relax. Our Kensington and Notting Hill apartments put you within easy reach of central London while still giving you a neighbourhood to come back to at the end of the night. And if you're arriving early or have checked out but still have a few hours before heading home, our bag drop service means you can leave your luggage with us and enjoy Halloween hands-free.

So, what kind of Halloween are you?

Whether you're after family-friendly fun, frightening attractions, live music, fancy dress, old-school London ghost stories or a proper night out, London has something for you this October.

You could spend the afternoon exploring Notting Hill, watch the sunset over the city, head to Kew for a spooky trail and finish the night with a cocktail. Or dress up, go to a Halloween concert, dance until midnight and come home to your Pocket Apartment. You could even skip the scary stuff altogether, grab a coffee, watch a horror film and enjoy London in all its autumnal glory. Whatever your Halloween style, London is one of the best cities in the world to spend it.

So pack your costume, book your plans, and make a weekend of it.

Stay with Pocket Apartments and make London your home base this Halloween.